The food industry progressively requires innovative and environmentally safe packaging materials with increased physical, mechanical, and barrier properties. Due to its unique properties, cellulose has several potential applications in the food industry as a packaging material, stabilizing agent, and functional food ingredient. A coffee pod is a filter of cellulosic, non-rigid, ready-made material containing ground portions and pressed coffee prepared in dedicated machines. In our study, we obtained, with homogenization and sonication, cellulose micro/nanoparticles from three different coffee pods. It is known that nanoparticulate systems can enter live cells and, if ingested, could exert alterations in gastrointestinal tract cells. Our work aims to investigate the response of HT-29 cells to cellulose nanoparticles from coffee pods. In particular, the subcellular effects between coffee-embedded nanocellulose (CENC) and cellulose nanoparticles (NC) were compared. Finally, we analysed the pathologic condition (Cytolethal Distending Toxin (CDT) from Campylobacter jejuni) on the same cells conditioned by NC and CENC. We evidenced that, for the cellular functional features analysed, NC and CENC pre-treatments do not worsen cell response to the C. jejuni CDT, also pointing out an improvement of the autophagic flux, particularly for CENC preconditioning.
One of the biggest environmental problems that has affected the planet is global warming, due to high concentrations of carbon (CO2), which has led to crops such as coffee being affected by climate change caused by greenhouse gases (GHG), especially by the increase in the incidence of pests and diseases. However, carbon sequestration contributes to the mitigation of GHG emissions. The objective of this work was to evaluate the carbon stored in above and below ground biomass in four six-year-old castle coffee production systems. In a trial established under a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with the treatments Coffee at free exposure (T1), Coffee-Lemon (T2), Coffee-Guamo (T3) and Coffee-Carbonero (T4), at three altitudes: below 1,550 masl, between 1,550 and 2,000 masl and above 2,000 masl. Data were collected corresponding to the stem diameters of coffee seedlings and shade trees with which allometric equations were applied to obtain the carbon variables in the aerial biomass and root and the carbon variables in leaf litter and soil obtained from their dry matter. Highly significant differences were obtained in the four treatments evaluated, with T4 being the one that obtained the highest carbon concentration both in soil biomass with 100.14 t ha-1 and in aerial biomass with 190.42 t ha-1.
Climate change plays a vital role in shaping the knowledge construction of farmers for managing their agricultural land. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the coffee farmers’ knowledge construction process regarding climate change. This research utilizes qualitative methods. This research approach uses the grounded theory, which can help researchers uncover the relationship between the coffee farmers’ knowledge construction and climate change. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using constant comparative methods. The transcription of the field notes was analyzed using NVivo version 12, a program for analyzing qualitative data. There were 33 informants in the study. This study found that the conditions and situations of wind speed and uncertain whether strongly influence the farmers’ construction of climate knowledge. Coffee farmers are looking for new ways to respond to climate change, such as increasing the intensity of the care they give to their coffee plants, gradually harvesting according to the ripeness of the coffee fruits, finding alternative ways to dry the coffee beans, and reducing the use of fertilizer. However, coffee farmers are also starting to adapt old knowledge from their parents to the latest perceived climate phenomena, so that they can look for alternative sources of livelihood outside their farms. This knowledge construction process serves as a form of adaptation by the coffee farmers to climate change, and reflects the dynamic between traditional knowledge and current experience. Understanding this knowledge construction helps coffee farmers to cope with climate change and to design appropriate policy strategies to support the sustainability of coffee farming in an era of climate change. Further research is needed at the regional level.
It has long been acknowledged that interpersonal trust is the foundation of business partnerships. Interpersonal trust is frequently required in circumstances involving interdependence among parties, wherein each party is cognizant of the other’s vulnerabilities, the potential consequences of their actions, and the favorable anticipations of others. This study aims to examine and understand the impact of the development of interpersonal trust on the long-term sustainability of the Gayo Aceh coffee business, which has been operational since 1908. The unit of analysis in this study is the stakeholders of the Gayo Aceh coffee industry, including farmers, collectors, sellers, and distributors. This study utilizes a qualitative technique, specifically employing a case study design, for both data collection and analysis. To collect data, we utilized observations and semi-structured interviews. The findings of the research indicate that the establishment of interpersonal trust among producers, collectors, sellers, and distributors has had a discernible influence on the current sustainability of the coffee industry in Aceh Gayo.
In June 2023, the European Union (EU) enacted the Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR), which requires agricultural products to enter and leave its territory free from deforestation. The regulations apply to seven commodities: cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya, wood, and their derivate products grown or raised on land subject to deforestation or forest degradation will be banned from entering the EU market. EUDR will have a significant impact on Vietnam’s Exports of Agricultural Products. Coffee, rubber, wood, and wood products are the main industries in Vietnam affected by this regulation, as the country exports a substantial portion of these products to EU markets. This article examines the impacts of the European Union Deforestation Regulation on Vietnam’s coffee supply chains, discusses possible unintended effects on coffee farmers and farming households, and explores strategies to mitigate these negative impacts while highlighting specific challenges that may arise. The results of this study contribute to a better understanding and management of Vietnam’s agricultural exports, particularly in the coffee sector. Additionally, the article gives some recommendations for improving Vietnam’s laws and policies on deforestation-free products.
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